Amber Heard will never regret coming out as bisexual

Although she’s been on our radar for a few years now,Amber Heard is becoming more well known to the general population for her relationship with Johnny Depp. That’s unfortunate, as she’s a rising actress in her own right that should be known for the kinds of roles she chooses to play (“I try to play characters who are empowered and strong,” she says in Elle‘s September issue) instead of her current partner, who just so happens to be a superstar—and male.

“I didn’t want to look like I was hiding anything. I’m not, and wasn’t ever, ashamed.”

And so we should not be ashamed of Amber, either. It seems some queer female fans are dismissing the actress over her “going back to guys,” but Amber is proud to be bisexual, and we should be proud another openly out bisexual actress has been becoming successful in the industry. She joins the likes of Evan Rachel Wood and Anna Paquin who identify as bi or queer and are not hiding their sexuality despite their having male partners.

There is a kind of hetero privilege that bisexuals can receive when they are in relationships with the opposite sex, but if public figures like Amber are willing to talk about their queerness in a positive matter and speak out at GLAAD events or in mainstream women’s magazines, then we should accept them as who they are, and that is a part of our community.

“It is so strange to me that everyone cares. Maybe you like blondes now, but maybe you’ll be into a brunette in the future. I just don’t understand this idea that we have to choose one or the other.”

Amber can currently be seen in Paranoia (opening August 16) and will play bisexual in the upcoming indie Syrup. She’s also got a role in Machete Kills and has three other films in the works. Her career is showing no signs of slowing, and if she’s helping to put a gorgeous face on what a proud bisexual woman looks like, then we should look at it as a positive thing instead of a loss.